Unfit to Be the Heroine

When Petals Falls On The Ground

I hear someone opening the door. I quickly sat properly and finger comb my hair. "Welcome back", I greeted while I stood next to the counter.

"You didn't go home?", he was startled. Hiroshi looked pale. I stayed the whole night in their shop. "You said no one would take care of the shop so I-", I wasn't able to finish talking when Hiroshi grabbed on my shoulders. "Thanks", he said then bowed very low.

My alarm rang so I excused myself. "I'll be going to work. I ate some of the baked cookies in the oven", I informed. "No problem. Also, you turned down that man yesterday, right? If it's fine with you, can I fetch you after work?", Hiroshi looked away. I searched inside my bag and let out my wallet. I passed him my calling card. "See you, Hiroshi", I bowed and made my way out of the shop.

Something feels off. Why would Hiroshi fetch me?

*shakes her head

"I was wondering where you went last night. You texted me and your mom but we couldn't help but get curious", Nanami said while leaning on the wall wearing her uniform. "It's not what you think", I saw her looking at the shop. "What do you think am I thinking?", she teased. "Let's go. We'll be late for work", I grabbed on her arm. "I got you some clothes to change into", she raised a paper bag. "Thanks", I sighed. I'd be the talk in the office if I enter in the same clothes. That'll ruin my image.

We rode the bus. I feel the intense look from Nanami. "I turned down Iwami. He's a good person but I cannot bring myself to go out with someone I don't like", I explained. She let out a loud laugh making the other passenger look at us. "If you answered to him, you won't be staying in someone else's place", Nanami slightly punched my side. I got what she's trying to say so I returned a punch. I explained what happened. "So, Hiroshi is back", Nanami leaned on the window. Should I tell her that he's fetching me after work?

"It's my stop. See you later", Nanami waved her hand. "Ah. I'll be meeting with someone", I informed. She gave a wide smile and nodded.

After changing my clothes, I entered our building. There's 10 minutes before the time. I think I should just walk. I went to the stairs and took my steps one at a time. "Kawamatsu?", someone called from behind. It's our boss. "Yosaku-san. Goof morning", I greeted. "You're wearing a knee-high skirt", he gave a thumbs up. I sighed and walked down. "Let's ride the elevator", he invited. Nanami, she must picked this skirt on purpose.

I pushed the button and let Yosaku-san enter. He's a 40-year old unmarried man. I saw him carrying a paper bag from a nearby restaurant. "So, Kawamatsu. How's your date yesterday?", he asked. I coughed as I close the elevator door. "I was also at the same restaurant", he pouted. "Ah. I turned him down", I informed. "What?! You really had a date?!", he was startled. He's toying with me again.

"Don't be so tough on yourself or else you'd end up like me", he raised the paper bag. "With no one to cook my lunch", he sighed. "Yosaku-san, about the business trip", I opened. "Oh, Reika should do that but she's busy being a newlywed", Yosaku seemed to grit his teeth. Some more people entered the elevator.

Today's tough. We need more people to work on this project.

The building composes of other companies as well.

Should we ask for help from the neighboring company?

We dropped off the 7th floor. "See you around", Yosaku-san went inside his office.

We have another day to do research and review project proposals. We're working as business consultants.

Good work for today. I'll go ahead.

Let's go and drink.

They all left. I closed the PC and fixed my things. I looked at the yellow pen on my table. Why did I keep this for too long?

"Hiroshi!!!", I shouted.

Someone knocked on the door. "Something's wrong?", Yosaku-san asked. I flushed and shook my head. "I saw a man waiting on the lounge", he playfully informed. I gave a bow. "I'd be leaving ahead of you, Yosaku-san", I raised my head. "Sure. Ever since you worked here. You were always left behind", he clapped and left.

I comb my hair and applied lipstick. Wait. I never cared about fixing myself after work. I looked at my face. What am I doing?

I used the elevator and saw someone seated on the couch. He's reading a magazine. "Hiroshi", I called his name. He tied his hair in a man bun and he's wearing casual clothing. Is he on a vacation?

"Thank you for your hard work", he stood up and reached out his hand. Again. What am I suppose to do with this hand?

"That looks heavy. I can carry it if you like", he smiled. If I reject his offer, would that be alright? I gave it to him. "Are you bringing home some work?", he asked and led the way outside. "No, they're-", I was about to say it. "Don't peek", I raised my voice. He flinched but nodded. Now, he will get intrigued with what's inside.

"How is your mom?", I asked. We walked past the bus station. "She's doing well. Her sister came to take care of her", he answered. "It's a good thing you passed by", he smiled. We're still walking. I wonder where our feet will end up to. "I haven't been here for too long so I just wanted to have sightseeing", Hiroshi walked in front of me with the cherry blossom tree on the side. He looks like a masterpiece in a painting. He turned and saw me staring. He walked towards me and reached for my hair. Hiroshi picked a petal on my hair. "This looks romantic, doesn't it?", he chuckled. How could he make fun of something like this? I felt my cheeks warming.

Kyah! He looks so handsome.

Wait. That man bun looks hot.

"Let's go", he invited.

We invited them to a picnic area where people set their mats for the flower viewing. There are only a few people left since it's already sunset. If I didn't leave late, we could have watched the petals falling.

We saw some high school students playing music on the side. Hiroshi pulled a mat from his bag and called me to join him. He silently looked at the group of students as we sat down the mat. "I was rocking when I was in high school", he started talking. "Uhm", I nodded.

Let's sing one more song!

Yeah. How about this song?

Oh. That's our favorite jam.

"Hiroshi, what happened in Australia? You never came back", I gulped as soon as I asked. He pressed his palm against and looked at the sky. "It was tough", he answered.

"Ah, my boss gave me some canned coffee", I took it from my bag and gave one to Hiroshi. This topic might ruin his day. "Thanks", he took it and opened it. "I'm sorry that I wasn't able to come back for the shrine visiting", he apologized. He remembered that. "It's alright", I replied.

Oh, I want to have a picture. All of us.

The male student looked around and we happened to lay eyes on each other. "Excuse me. Can you please take a picture of us?", he politely asked. Hiroshi took his phone and nodded. 

Thank you, handsome big bro. 

They all passed a happy smile on their faces. "It's getting late. You should be going straight at your houses", Hiroshi lectured on the kids. They gladly took heed of his words. We both watched as they playfully tease each other. 

"By the way, Hiroshi. About Saotome-", I stopped when I saw his expression changed into a cold one. "I will be going home now. Thank you for inviting me", I stood up. "She's no longer a Saotome", he smiled. I see. He must have gone home to marry her. "I see. Congratulations", I bowed then started walking away. "Your books", he raised the paper bag. I panicked and grabbed it away from him. "It's not shameful to be reading those in your age", he chuckled. "That's...not it", I covered my face.